Choosing an Interior Designer

If you find yourself watching more home improvement shows to keep up with what’s hot and what’s not in home design, you’re not alone. Home improvement shows go back to the 1980 debut of the Emmy Award-winning “This Old House” on Public Broadcasting Service network, and there seems to be no end in sight to their popularity. These how to home shows help homes become more marketable, or at the very least, help nestle homeowners in a more updated, comfortable home.

At first blush, hiring an interior designer might seem luxurious, but when people step back and reflect on this investment, it makes excellent sense.

The romance people have with their homes is not a mystery. Home ownership translates as the most lucrative investment people can make, and just knowing that they can take a sledgehammer to the walls is icing on the cake. So if your goal is a beautiful abode for yourself, your family, or for a maximum return on your investment, but you have time restraints, are challenged in the designing arena or have made costly errors in the past, it may be time to investigate the not-so-intimidating world of interior designers.

At first blush, hiring an interior designer might seem luxurious, but when people step back and reflect on this investment, it makes excellent sense. People pool a lot of money into their interior furnishings and in the interior architecture (the way things are laid out) of their home. And because they’re investing a lot of money in their home, it’s only sensible to consult a professional.

Interior designers can help people sort through information and help develop a budget based on priorities. As the old saying goes, “If you don’t know where you’re going, then you don’t know where you’re going to end up.” Even if homeowners just hire a designer to help with space planning and figure out overall goals, a road map can be drafted. If clients are interested in purchasing furnishings, a lot of designers will sell products at a discount.

If you are interested in consulting with a local designer who is formally recognized by the American Society of Interior Designers, visit www.asid.org. But before you hire, do your homework, and realize that it’s important to check that final, intangible credential: chemistry. You should meet in person to be sure this professional is someone who appreciates your needs and goals.